Trinity Spiritual Center to Host Internationally Recognized TED Talk Speaker on How Ageism Harms Us All

Eminent Writer, Activist, and Expert on Ageism Ashton Applewhite asks us to join a grassroots movement to raise awareness of ageism—and to dismantle it

Trinity Spiritual Center will host an exclusive livestream event with the globe-trotting writer, activist, and expert on ageism, Ashton Applewhite, on Thursday, May 6^th at 7:30 PM. Ms. Applewhite will address a topic with universal relevance in a world of longer lives: How can we make age bias as unacceptable as any other form of prejudice? This special event is free and open to all.

The author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, Applewhite is a much sought-after thought leader who has been recognized by The New York Times, National Public Radio, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The Toronto Sun as an expert on ageism. Age bias cuts work lives short, stunts our sense of self and our place in the world, and harms our health: attitudes towards aging affect how our minds and bodies function at the cellular level!

The event will open with a screening of Ms. Applewhite’s TED Talk, “Let’s End Ageism” that currently has nearly 1.65 million views. A moderated discussion will be followed by Q&A with the audience. To come prepared, check out her website, Yo, Is This Ageist? blog, and terrific book, This Chair Rocks: A Manifestor Against Ageism, which the Washington Post described as “One of the 100 best books to read at every age.”

The discussion will focus on debunking myths and negative stereotypes that distort our perception of later life and devalue the no-longer-young. Applewhite’s mission—to inform and support the emerging global anti-ageism movement—could not be more timely: according to current projections, by 2060, the number of Americans over 65 will more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million, and the fastest growing age group of all will be over 85. Population aging is a permanent, global, demographic trend.

“All prejudice relies on othering – seeing a group of people as other than ourselves,” says Applewhite. “The strange thing about ageism that the ‘other’ in this case is us—our own future selves.”

Trinity Spiritual Center is pleased to host this event as the third in a year-long series of open conversations on contemporary issues that deeply impact our community. While there is no charge for the participation in this event, registration is required (details below).

“We are excited to welcome Ashton Applewhite to our community and eagerly await her thoughts on how we can reframe our thinking and behaviors so that we experience well-being, deeper connections, and greater meaning and purpose as we age,” Peggy Hodgkins, Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church says. “We welcome our friends everywhere to join us for a very special event.”

Director Mark Grayson adds, “We all know someone who has been blocked from an opportunity, has not received proper care, or has been excluded for no other reason than their age. Ashton Applewhite reminds us that this behavior is a dangerous form discrimination that too often goes unreported. In a society where individuals are living longer, healthier lives, it’s high time that we tackle this form of systemic bias that affects every one of us.”